Amendment to Fisheries Bill tabled for second reading in Dewan Rakyat

New Straits Times

4 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, which among other things, seeks to raise the general penalty for fisheries-related offences from RM20,000 to RM100,000, was tabled for the second reading in the Dewan Rakyat, today.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu when tabling the bill today said the amendments are aligned with current needs and the development of the fisheries industry both domestically and internationally.
He said the amendment is deemed highly necessary to address the issue of declining fisheries stocks through a holistic management approach.
He added that the government is facing various challenges in its efforts to ensure the sustainability of the national fisheries sector, including issues such as the leakage of fishery resources, declining fish stocks, the impact of climate change, and concerns over food security and the guarantee of fish supply for the people.
"Among the key challenges are anthropogenic activities such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing, and marine pollution that threaten marine habitats," he said.
The proposed amendments cover six key areas, including efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities by tightening control over both local and foreign vessels.
This includes monitoring loading and unloading operations, fish transfers, vessel maintenance, and supply activities. It also involves prohibiting fishing in polluted areas to safeguard the integrity of the national food supply chain.
Other amendments focus on strengthening the legal framework for marine parks and reserves to fulfil Malaysia's obligations under international instruments, and increasing general penalties to enhance enforcement and ensure that appropriate measures are taken against violations of the Act and its related regulations.
The bill also seeks to clarify the application of Act 317 across all Federal Territories, including Putrajaya, and to support more targeted interventions through the collection of accurate and reliable data.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 comprises a total of 47 clauses.
Among the key changes are on Clause 17 which amends Section 16 to require the captain of a foreign fishing vessel to notify authorities via official electronic communication upon entering and exiting Malaysian fisheries waters.
Meanwhile, Clause 19 amends paragraph 25(b) by increasing the general penalty in all matters other than those involving foreign fishing vessels or local fishing vessels operating on the high seas from RM20,000 to RM100,000.
Clause 20 amends Section 26 to raise the maximum fine to RM250,000 for offences involving the use of explosives, poisons, pollutants, electric current equipment, or prohibited gear.
Clause 21 amends Section 27 to prohibit any person from fishing, disturbing, harassing, capturing, killing, possessing, selling, buying, exporting, transporting, or storing any aquatic mammal or turtle or any part or derivative thereof found outside state jurisdiction. The fine for such offences will increase from RM5,000 to RM250,000.
"These amendments are part of policy and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening regulation in the national fisheries sector.
"The Bill provides for measures to address licensing issues and the use of unsustainable equipment. The Director-General's powers are strengthened to set technical requirements for vessels, monitor movement and enforce licence compliance with the support of data-driven monitoring systems.
"Given the current status of national fish stocks, several zones have been identified as critically stressed. Therefore, the declaration of marine protected areas is essential to enable recovery actions to be effectively carried out based on scientific data.
"The government is aware of the issues affecting the fisheries sector, and thus the need to enhance enforcement and build a strong legal foundation is of utmost importance," he said.